San Antonio enjoys a diverse industry portfolio that continues to strengthen and build upon the city's historic economic base. Diverse industry strengths have emerged in recent years, making San Antonio one of the most recession resistant economies in the country. Combining the global connections with a focus on jobs and investments the City seeks to create a globally competitive and internationally connected economic development environment that supports entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes toward investment and job creation.

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The Mayor and City Council are the community’s key decision makers. They focus on: the provision and efficiency of basic services; their district’s growth; capital improvement projects; land use and development; the city’s financial growth and economic development; and other important issues. Council members focus on how City policies not only meet the needs of their constituents, but also how they meet the goals of the entire community.

The 2014 City of San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration marks the 27th anniversary of the City's celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King. Join one of the largest marches and commemorations in the U.S. aimed at honoring and continuing Dr. King's legacy.

San Antonio is an amazing place. Throughout the SA 2020 process, you proved it by showing up in droves on weeknights and Saturdays to dream about our city`s future. At a time when other big American cities reflect the skeptical chords of our national discourse, we had local CEOs sitting side-by-side with grassroots activists in a dialogue that looked like folks chatting over the backyard fence.

Located just below the headwaters of the San Antonio River, Brackenridge Park and the surrounding area has been a gathering place since prehistoric times. There is evidence of human visitation and occupation extending back at least 11,000 years. Native American artifacts dating as early as 9200 B.C. have been found in the Olmos Basin and near Hildebrand Avenue. The Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio Zoo and Sunken Garden Theatre are located at Brackenridge Park.

Luminaria is San Antonio's annual celebration of art and artists. Held in March and overseen by San Antonio's creative leaders, it is free of charge and showcases all art forms in an outdoor setting and inside various venues downtown. Luminaria spotlights San Antonio's cultural assets for local citizens and visitors alike.

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La Villita Historic Arts Village

La Villita Historic Arts Village is now under the management of the Department for Culture and Creative Development for the City of San Antonio. Soon you will find all information, calendars, and forms related to La Villita Historic Arts Village at www.sahearts.com, the official site of the Department for Culture and Creative Development and your guide to arts and culture in San Antonio.

Located on the south bank of the San Antonio River, La Villita was San Antonio's first neighborhood. It was originally a settlement of primitive huts for the Spanish soldiers stationed at the Mission San Antonio Valero (the Alamo). After a flood in 1819, brick, stone and adobe houses replaced the earlier structures. In 1836, La Villita was the site of General Santa Ana's cannon line in the Battle of the Alamo and a map from early that year showed the village to be of considerable size.

Late in the 19th century European immigrants from Germany and France moved into the area. These pioneers became San Antonio's business leaders, bankers, educators, and craftsmen. The cultural mix that occurred at this time is best illustrated by the variety of architectural styles reflected in La Villita's buildings. The architecture portrays the evolution of buildings from palisado to Victorian Houses.

The first part of the 20th century saw La Villita decline into a slum area. In 1939, as ground broke on the San Antonio River Walk development, city fathers led by Mayor Maury Maverick acted to preserve this colorful part of San Antonio's history. Today La Villita is a thriving art community that stands as a monument to San Antonio's past. La Villita is on the National Registry of Historic Districts.

For more information on La Villita, including its art galleries, shops and restaurants, visit LaVillita.com or call (210) 207-8614.